Self-declaring electronic license plate with immobilizer features

ABSTRACT

A self-declaring electronic license plate (e-plate) system for a vehicle is disclosed. This self-declaring e-plate system includes: an input device; a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader coupled to the input device; and an RFID-enabled license plate. In some embodiments, the input device is configured to receive vehicle occupancy information and triggers the RFID reader to write the received vehicle occupancy information to the RFID-enabled license plate in response to receiving the vehicle occupancy information. The RFID reader is configured to write at least a portion of the received vehicle occupancy information to the RFID-enabled license plate. The RFID-enabled license plate is configured to provide at least a portion of the received vehicle occupancy information to an electronic toll collection (ETC) reader. In some embodiments, the received vehicle occupancy information includes a current number of occupants self-declared by a user, such as a driver or a passenger inside the vehicle.

PRIORITY CLAIM AND RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This patent is a Continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No.16/702,412 filed Dec. 3, 2019, entitled “SELF-DECLARING ELECTRONICLICENSE PLATE WITH IMMOBILIZER FEATURES” which is a divisional of U.S.application Ser. No. 15/257,847 and filed Sep. 6, 2016, now U.S. patentSer. No. 10,632,966 issued Apr. 28, 2020, which in turn claims benefitof priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. Patent Application No.62/214,166 entitled “SWITCHABLE ELECTRONIC LICENSE PLATE” and to U.S.Patent Application No. 62/214,173 entitled “ELECTRONIC LICENSE PLATEWITH IMMOBILIZER FEATURE,” both of which were filed on Sep. 3, 2015. Thedisclosures of the above applications are incorporated by reference intheir entirety as a part of this document.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The various embodiments described herein are related to wirelessdevices, and more particularly to a self-declaring electronic licenseplate (e-plate) which can be used to immobilize a vehicle.

2. Related Art

Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology harnesseselectromagnetic fields to transfer data wirelessly. One of the primaryuses for RFID technology is the automatic identification and tracking ofobjects via RFID tags, which can be attached or incorporated into avariety of objects. Examples include credit cards, passports, licenseplates, identity cards, cellphones/mobile devices, etc. RFID technologyalso has applications in numerous areas, including, but not limited to,electronic tolling, parking access, border control, payment processing,asset management, and transportation. Thus, for example, a license platethat includes an RFID tag can be used for the purposes of electronictoll collection (ETC), electronic vehicle registration (EVR), and bordercrossing, among others.

ETC systems often rely on RFID transponders installed on vehicles toidentify the vehicles and to apply toll charges. For example, whencrossing a toll plaza, an RFID transponder on a vehicle can communicatewith an RFID reader at the toll plaza to provide vehicle identificationinformation (e.g., one or more identifiers) that allows the ETC systemto identify and debit a toll account associated with the vehicle.

While some types of RFID transponders may be carried inside a vehicle(e.g., on the windshield), a growing number of RFID transponders areintegrated into vehicle's license plates (referred to as “RFID-enabledlicense plates” or simply “e-plates”). Because RFID-enabled licenseplates are typically secured to the exterior of a vehicle, such licenseplates are particularly susceptible to theft. However, conventionalRFID-enabled license plates do not provide security mechanisms thatcould prevent misuse of stolen plates and discourage theft.

Moreover, in various ETC applications, while tolling authorities mayimpose a fixed toll rate for some roads, bridges, and tunnels, itbecomes increasingly common to encounter transportation channels wherethe applicable toll is determined based on vehicle occupancy.Conventional occupancy-based ETC systems rely on switchable RFIDtransponders, which are commonly attached to a vehicle's windshieldinside the vehicle. A driver would manually select one of the availablemodes representing different occupancies on the switchable RFIDtransponder in order to transmit the current occupancy information(i.e., the number of occupants inside the vehicle) to an ETC reader.However, these conventional switchable RFID transponders provide alimited number of modes and can thus transmit only a limited number ofpossible occupancy scenarios.

SUMMARY

Embodiments described herein provide various examples of aself-declaration electronic license plate system implemented on avehicle operable to provide current vehicle occupancy information to anelectronic toll collection (ETC) reader.

According to one aspect, a self-declaring electronic license plate(e-plate) system for a vehicle is disclosed. This self-declaring e-platesystem includes: an input device; a radio frequency identification(RFID) reader coupled to the input device; and an RFID-enabled licenseplate. In some embodiments, the input device is configured to receivevehicle occupancy information and triggers the RFID reader to write thereceived vehicle occupancy information to the RFID-enabled license platein response to receiving the vehicle occupancy information. The RFIDreader is configured to write at least a portion of the received vehicleoccupancy information to the RFID-enabled license plate. TheRFID-enabled license plate is configured to provide at least a portionof the received vehicle occupancy information to an electronic tollcollection (ETC) reader. In some embodiments, the received vehicleoccupancy information includes a number of occupants inside the vehicleself-declared by a user, such as a driver or a passenger inside thevehicle.

In some embodiments, the RFID-enabled license plate further includes afirst RFID module configured to operate using a first frequency band anda second RFID module configured to operate using a second frequencyband. The RFID-enabled license plate can communicate with the RFIDreader via the first RFID module using the first frequency band, such asa high frequency (HF) frequency band. The RFID-enabled license plate cancommunicate with the ETC reader via the second RFID module using thesecond frequency band, such as an ultra-high frequency (UHF) frequencyband.

In some embodiments, the input device includes a keypad which isconfigured to receive the vehicle occupancy information directly from auser. In other embodiments, the input device is integrated with anonboard computer system and is configured to receive the vehicleoccupancy information input by a user via a user interface of theonboard computer system.

In some embodiments, the RFID-enabled license plate is furtherconfigured to store account information for a toll account associatedwith a vehicle. The RFID-enabled license plate can provide at least aportion of the account information to the ETC reader. The ETC reader canidentify the toll account associated with the vehicle based on thereceived account information, and debit a toll charge determined basedon the received vehicle occupancy information.

In some embodiments, at least one of the writing of the receivedoccupancy information to the RFID-enabled license plate and theprovision of the received occupancy information to the ETC reader by theRFID-enabled license plate includes gaining access to a memory of theRFID-enabled license plate based on one or more security keys.

In some embodiments, the RFID reader is a multi-purpose RFID readerwhich can perform one or more functions other than writing to theRFID-enabled license plate. For example, the RFID reader can also beconfigured to lock and unlock the vehicle. In other embodiments, theRFID reader is a dedicated RFID reader configured specifically forcommunicating with the RFID-enabled license plate.

In a further aspect, a process for providing vehicle occupancyinformation to an ETC reader is disclosed. This process starts byreceiving, at an input device, current occupancy information for avehicle. Next, the process uses a radio frequency identification (RFID)reader to write the received current occupancy information to anRFID-enabled license plate. The process can then provide the currentoccupancy information from the RFID-enabled license plate to an ETCreader on demand.

In yet another aspect, an e-plate system on a vehicle capable ofautomatic license plate validation is disclosed. This e-plate systemincludes: an RFID-enabled license plate configured to store one or moreidentifiers; an RFID reader configured to interrogate the RFID-enabledlicense plate; and an onboard microcontroller coupled to the RFIDreader. This onboard microcontroller is further configured to: determinewhether the RFID-enabled license plate is present on the vehicle basedat least on a result of interrogation of the RFID-enabled license platereceived from the RFID reader; in response to determining that theRFID-enabled license plate is present on the vehicle, determine whetherthe RFID-enabled license plate is a valid license plate for the vehiclebased at least on the one or more identifiers stored on the RFID-enabledlicense plate; and in response to determining that the RFID-enabledlicense plate is not a valid license plate for the vehicle, enable oneor more vehicle functions.

In some embodiments, if the RFID reader is able to successfullyinterrogate the RFID-enabled license plate, the RFID reader isconfigured to receive, from the RFID-enabled license plate, the one ormore identifiers stored on the RFID-enabled license plate. However, ifthe RFID reader is unable to successfully interrogate the RFID-enabledlicense plate, the RFID reader is further configured to transmit asignal to the onboard microcontroller indicating that the RFID-enabledlicense plate is not present on the vehicle.

In still another aspect, a process for automatically validating anRFID-enabled license plate on a vehicle is disclosed. This processstarts by interrogating the RFID-enabled license plate to determinewhether the RFID-enabled license plate is present on the vehicle. Theinterrogation can be performed periodically or based on a dynamic orfixed schedule. If it is determined that the RFID-enabled license plateis present on the vehicle, the process then receives one or moreidentifiers from the RFID-enabled license plate. Next, the processdetermines whether the RFID-enabled license plate is a valid licenseplate for the vehicle by comparing the one or more received identifierswith one or more stored identifiers corresponding to the valid licenseplate. In response to determining that the RFID-enabled license plate isnot a valid license plate for the vehicle, the process enables one ormore vehicle functions, such as enabling an immobilizer function toprevent the vehicle from starting and/or setting off an alarm siren ofthe vehicle.

Other features and advantages of the present disclosure should beapparent from the following description which illustrates by way ofexample aspects of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The structure and operation of the present disclosure will be understoodfrom a review of the following detailed description and the accompanyingdrawings in which like reference numerals refer to like parts and inwhich:

FIG. 1 shows a diagram illustrating an exemplary RFID system inaccordance with one embodiment described herein.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of an exemplary self-declaring electroniclicense plate system in accordance with one embodiment described herein.

FIG. 3 illustrates the top view of an RFID-enabled license plate inaccordance with one embodiment described herein.

FIG. 4 presents a flowchart illustrating a process for providingself-declared vehicle occupancy information to an ETC reader using theself-declaring e-plate system in accordance with one embodimentdescribed herein.

FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of an exemplary e-plate validation systemon a vehicle in accordance with one embodiment described herein.

FIG. 6 presents a flowchart illustrating a process for automaticallyvalidating an e-plate in accordance with one embodiment describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While certain embodiments are described, these embodiments are presentedby way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope ofprotection. The methods and systems described herein may be embodied ina variety of other forms. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions,and changes in the form of the example methods and systems describedherein may be made without departing from the scope of protection.

Embodiments described herein provide various examples of aself-declaration electronic license plate system implemented on avehicle operable to provide current vehicle occupancy information to anelectronic toll collection (ETC) reader.

According to one aspect, a self-declaring electronic license plate(e-plate) system for a vehicle is disclosed. This self-declaring e-platesystem includes: an input device; a radio frequency identification(RFID) reader coupled to the input device; and an RFID-enabled licenseplate. In some embodiments, the input device is configured to receivevehicle occupancy information and triggers the RFID reader to write thereceived vehicle occupancy information to the RFID-enabled license platein response to receiving the vehicle occupancy information. The RFIDreader is configured to write at least a portion of the received vehicleoccupancy information to the RFID-enabled license plate. TheRFID-enabled license plate is configured to provide at least a portionof the received vehicle occupancy information to the ETC reader. In someembodiments, the received vehicle occupancy information includes anumber of occupants inside the vehicle self-declared by a user, such asa driver or a passenger inside the vehicle.

In a further aspect, a process for providing vehicle occupancyinformation to an ETC reader is disclosed. This process starts byreceiving, at an input device, current occupancy information for avehicle. Next, the process uses a RFID reader to write the receivedcurrent occupancy information to an RFID-enabled license plate. Theprocess can then provide the current occupancy information from theRFID-enabled license plate to an ETC reader on demand.

In yet another aspect, an e-plate system on a vehicle capable ofautomatic license plate validation is disclosed. This e-plate systemincludes: an RFID-enabled license plate configured to store one or moreidentifiers; an RFID reader configured to interrogate the RFID-enabledlicense plate; and an onboard microcontroller coupled to the RFIDreader. This onboard microcontroller is further configured to: determinewhether the RFID-enabled license plate is present on the vehicle basedat least on a result of interrogation of the RFID-enabled license platereceived from the RFID reader; in response to determining that theRFID-enabled license plate is present on the vehicle, determine whetherthe RFID-enabled license plate is a valid license plate for the vehiclebased at least on the one or more identifiers stored on the RFID-enabledlicense plate; and in response to determining that the RFID-enabledlicense plate is not a valid license plate for the vehicle, enable oneor more vehicle functions.

In still another aspect, a process for automatically validating anRFID-enabled license plate on a vehicle is disclosed. This processstarts by interrogating the RFID-enabled license plate to determinewhether the RFID-enabled license plate is present on the vehicle. Theinterrogation can be performed periodically or based on a dynamic orfixed schedule. If it is determined that the RFID-enabled license plateis present on the vehicle, the process then receives one or moreidentifiers from the RFID-enabled license plate. Next, the processdetermines whether the RFID-enabled license plate is a valid licenseplate for the vehicle by comparing the one or more received identifierswith one or more stored identifiers corresponding to the valid licenseplate. In response to determining that the RFID-enabled license plate isnot a valid license plate for the vehicle, the process enables one ormore vehicle functions, such as enabling an immobilizer function toprevent the vehicle from starting and/or setting off an alarm siren ofthe vehicle.

FIG. 1 shows a diagram illustrating an exemplary RFID system 100 inaccordance with one embodiment described herein. In system 100, RFIDinterrogator/reader 102 communicates with one or more RFID tags 110.Data can be exchanged between interrogator/reader 102 and RFID tag 110via radio transmit signal 108 and radio receive signal 112. RFIDinterrogator/reader 102 comprises RF transceiver 104, which containstransmitter and receiver electronics, and antenna 106, which areconfigured to generate and receive radio transit signal 108 and radioreceive signal 112, respectively. Exchange of data can be accomplishedvia electromagnetic or electrostatic coupling in the RF spectrum incombination with various modulation and encoding schemes.

RFID tag 110 is a transponder that can be attached to an object ofinterest and act as an information storage mechanism. In manyapplications, the use of passive RFID tags is desirable, because theyhave a virtually unlimited operational lifetime and can be smaller,lighter, and cheaper than active RFID tags that contain an internalpower source, e.g. battery. Passive RFID tags power themselves byrectifying the RF signal emitted by the RF scanner. Consequently, therange of transmit signal 108 determines the operational range of RFIDtag 110. RFID tag 110 can includes a memory 120 to store tag informationand/or application-specific data. Data stored on memory 120 can be readby RFID interrogator/reader 102 through radio transit signal 108.Moreover, memory 120 can be written and/or updated by RFIDinterrogator/reader 102 with data embedded in radio transit signal 108.

RF transceiver 104 transmits RF signals to RFID tag 110, and receives RFsignals from RFID tag 110, via antenna 106. The data in transmit signal108 and receive signal 112 can be contained in one or more bits for thepurpose of providing identification and other information relevant tothe particular RFID tag application. In some embodiments, RFID tag 110and RFID interrogator/reader 102 are not in a fixed configuration, forexample, RFID tag 110 can be installed on a vehicle while RFIDinterrogator/reader 102 is installed near a toll booth and. In theseembodiments, when RFID tag 110 passes within the range of the radiofrequency magnetic field emitted by antenna 106 of RFIDinterrogator/reader 102, RFID tag 110 is excited and transmits data backto RF interrogator/reader 102. In other embodiments, RFID tag 110 andRFID interrogator/reader 102 are in a fixed configuration, for example,both RFID tag 110 and RFID interrogator/reader 102 can be installed onthe same vehicle. In these embodiments, RFID tag 110 can be excited andtransmit data back to RF interrogator/reader 102 when RFIDinterrogator/reader 102 is activated and begins to emit radio transitsignal 108 through antenna 106. Alternatively, RFID tag 110 can beexcited and allow data to be written into memory 120 when RFIDinterrogator/reader 102 is activated and begins to transmit dataembedded in radio transit signal 108 through antenna 106.

In some implementations, in response to radio transit signal 108transmitted by RF interrogator/reader 102 to access data stored onmemory 120 of RFID tag 110, a change in the impedance of RFID tag 110can be used to signal the data to RF interrogator/reader 102 via receivesignal 112. The impedance change in RFID tag 110 can be caused byproducing a short circuit across the tag's antenna connections (notshown) in bursts of very short duration. RF transceiver 104 senses theimpedance change as a change in the level of reflected or backscatteredenergy arriving at antenna 106.

Digital electronics 114, which can comprise a microprocessor with RAM,performs decoding and reading of receive signal 112. Similarly, digitalelectronics 114 performs the coding of transmit signal 108. Thus, RFinterrogator/reader 102 facilitates the reading or writing of data toRFID tags, e.g. RFID tag 110 that are within range of the RF fieldemitted by antenna 104. Together, RF transceiver 104 and digitalelectronics 114 comprise RF interrogator/reader 102. Finally, digitalelectronics 114 and can be interfaced with an integral display and/orprovide a parallel or serial communications interface to a host computeror industrial controller, e.g. host computer 116.

In some embodiments, an RFID transponder (e.g., RFID tag 110 describedwith respect to FIG. 1) can be embedded in a vehicle's license plate toform an RFID-enabled license plate. However, vehicle license plates aremost commonly made from metal (e.g., aluminum). Direct and uninsulatedcontact between an RFID transponder (single or multi-frequency) and ametal license plate (e.g., by applying the transponder directly onto themetal license plate) can short or severely detune the transponder'santenna(s), rendering the transponder virtually unreadable. Thus, in theexemplary embodiments described in more detail below, a transponder isembedded in a metal license plate in ways that neither compromise theperformance of the transponder's antenna(s) nor add undesirable bulk tothe license plate's usual dimensions. In some exemplary embodiments, anRFID-enabled license plate is configured to resonate at multiplefrequencies (e.g., HF and UHF bands). In some embodiments, a resonatorfor the transponder is formed from the license plate itself if thelicense plate is metal. In other embodiments, whether the plate is metalor non-metal, the resonator can also be formed from a metalized layer(e.g., retro-reflective material, holographic foil, or any otherappropriate metallic substrate) covering the license plate.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of an exemplary self-declaring electroniclicense plate (or “e-plate” hereinafter) system 200 in accordance withone embodiment described herein. As can be seen in FIG. 2,self-declaring e-plate system 200 includes at least an input device 210,an RFID reader 220, and an e-plate 230, which are coupled to each otherby wired connections, wireless connections, or a combination of both.

In various embodiments, input device 210 includes a user-interface whichis configured to receive a user “self-declaration” input that includescurrent occupancy information for a vehicle. For example, the currentoccupancy information can include a number of occupants inside thevehicle. Hence, in various embodiments, a user such as a driver or apassenger of the vehicle uses input device 210 to make aself-declaration to an ETC system of a number of occupants inside thevehicle. In various embodiments, input device 210 can also include or becoupled to a display or a graphic user interface (GUI) for displaying awide range of options of occupancy information for selection. Hence, thedisclosed user self-declaration input can include either a direct userinput of a current number of occupants or a user selection from the widerange of options shown on the display. For example, input device 210 caninclude a GUI 240 in the form of a touchscreen that displays a highoccupancy vehicle (HOV) lane self-declaration switch. Using GUI 240, avehicle occupant (e.g., a driver or a passenger) can select a number ofvehicle occupants by touching one of the three occupancy options: 1, 2,and 3+. Although the example of GUI 240 only shows three occupancyoptions for user selection, other embodiments of a GUI within inputdevice 210 can display additional selection options for the vehicleoccupancy.

In some embodiments, input device 210 includes an external keypad whichis configured to receive user inputs (e.g., occupancy information)directly from a user (e.g., a driver or a passenger of the vehicle). Insome other embodiments, input device 210 is integrated with an onboardcomputer system of a vehicle. The onboard computer system can provideone or more input functions including, for example, but not limited to,a keyboard or a touch panel. As such, input device 210 can receivedirect user inputs of the occupancy information and/or a user selectionof the occupancy information from the user via the onboard computersystem. Comparing to a switchable RFID transponder that offers only afew fixed selections for the occupancy information, the disclosedself-declaring e-plate system allows for a significantly greaterflexibility and accuracy in stating and providing occupancy informationof a vehicle to the ETC systems.

According to one exemplary embodiment, in response to receiving one ormore inputs including occupancy information from a user, input device210 is configured to trigger RFID reader 220 to perform a writeoperation to e-plate 230. For example, input device 210 can include anintegrated circuit (IC) chip or a microprocessor (now shown) coupledbetween the user interface of the input device 210 and RFID reader 220.After receiving user inputs entered through the user interface, this ICchip or microprocessor transmits the user inputs including the occupancyinformation to RFID reader 220, which then triggers RFID reader 220 toperform the write operation to e-plate 230. Alternatively, if inputdevice 210 is integrated with an onboard computer system of a vehicle,the onboard computer system, when receiving user inputs from inputdevice 210, transmits the user inputs including the occupancyinformation to RFID reader 220, which then triggers RFID reader 220 toperform the write operation to e-plate 230. In various embodiments, RFIDreader 220 can be triggered to write and/or update at least a portion ofthe input information (e.g., occupancy information) received at inputdevice 210 to e-plate 230.

In various embodiments, when RFID reader 220 and e-plate 230 areinstalled on a vehicle, RFID reader 220 is positioned on the vehicle ata location within an effective read/write range of the RFID tag withine-plate 230. Notably, if the RFID tag within e-plate 230 is based on anUHF transmission scheme, the effective read/write range is typicallylonger than 3 feet and up to 37 feet. In various embodiments, RFIDreader 220 can be a multi-purpose RFID reader which can perform otherRFID read functions such as for locking and unlocking the vehicle. Inother embodiments, RFID reader 220 is a dedicated RFID reader configuredspecifically for the function of the self-declaring e-plate system 200.In some embodiments, RFID reader 220 can be implemented according to RFreader 102 described with respect to FIG. 1.

In various embodiments, e-plate 230 is an RFID-enabled license platethat includes an RFID transponder/tag which further includes a memory.According to one exemplary embodiment, one portion of the memory storesaccount information for an electronic toll account associated with thevehicle while another portion of the memory stores current occupancyinformation for the vehicle. In some embodiments, e-plate 230 isconfigured to communicate with an ETC reader (not shown). In theseembodiments, the ETC reader is configured to access at least a portionof the account information and the current occupancy information storedin the memory of e-plate 230. In one exemplary embodiment, a toll chargethat is assessed based on the current occupancy information can bedebited from the toll account associated with the vehicle through thecommunication between e-plate 230 and the ETC reader.

Various embodiments of an RFID-enabled license plate are described inU.S. Pat. Nos. 8,344,890 and 9,007,215, the disclosures of which areincorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

According to one exemplary embodiment, access to the memory of e-plate230 can be granted based on a security key. The provision of secureidentification solutions is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,081,819,7,671,746, 8,237,568, 8,322,044, and 8,004,410, the disclosures of whichare incorporated by reference herein in their respective entirety. Forexample, in various embodiments, RFID reader 220 and/or ETC readers cangain access to account and/or occupancy information stored in the memoryof e-plate 230 based on one or more security keys.

In some embodiments, e-plate 230 includes two or more RFID modulesconfigured to interface with corresponding RFID systems at differentfrequencies. Alternatively, e-plate 230 can include a multi-frequencyRFID tag configured to interface with multiple RFID systems at differentfrequencies. Multi-frequency RFID tags are described in Reissued U.S.Pat. Nos. RE 43,355 and RE 44,691, the disclosures of which areincorporated by reference herein in their respective entirety. Forexample, in one exemplary embodiment, e-plate 230 is configured tocommunicate with the RFID reader 220 using a high frequency (HF) band(e.g., 13.56 megahertz (MHz)) and communicate with an ETC reader usingan ultra-high frequency (UHF) band (e.g., 915 MHz or 2.45 gigahertz(GHz)).

In some embodiments, e-plate 230 can be further configured to performone or more account management functions. According to one exemplaryembodiment, e-plate 230 operates at one frequency (e.g., HF) to interactwith an electronic payment system and at a different frequency tointeract with an ETC system. For example, e-plate 230 can interact witha near-field communication (NFC)-enabled device at a HF band to providesufficient information for the NFC-enabled device to complete anelectronic payment transaction to replenish a toll account. In addition,e-plate 230 can interact with an ETC reader to provide sufficientinformation for the ETC system to apply a toll charge to the tollaccount. Various account management applications for e-plate 230 aredescribed in U.S. patent Ser. No. 14/459,299 and U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/459,299, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

A person having ordinary skill in the art can appreciate that inputdevice 210, RFID reader 220, and e-plate 230 can be coupled via wiredand/or wireless connections. As such, in various embodiments, inputdevice 210, RFID reader 220, and e-plate 230 can be installed atseparate locations on a vehicle. For example, input device 210 and/orRFID reader 220 can be installed inside the cabin of the vehicle whilee-plate 230 is placed on the exterior of the vehicle. In someembodiments, input device 210 and RFID reader 220 are integrated as asingle electronic module, for example, as a single System on Chip (SoC).In some embodiments, input device 210 and RFID reader 220 are integratedinto a single package inside a protective case. This single packagecontaining input device 210 and RFID reader 220 can be placed inside thevehicle at a fixed location, such as on the windshield, on or above thedashboard, on a door panel, on the back of a seat, etc. However, asingle package containing input device 210 and RFID reader 220 can alsobe configured as a portable device which can be handheld and operated bya driver or a passenger of the vehicle.

FIG. 3 illustrates the top view of an RFID-enabled license plate 300 inaccordance with one embodiment described herein. RFID-enabled licenseplate 300 provides one implementation of e-plate 230 described inconjunction with FIG. 2.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, RFID-enabled license plate 300 includes ametal plate 310. In various embodiments, RFID-enabled license plate 300can be configured to include one or more slots, which are open areasthat are cut or punched out of plate 310. In some embodiments,RFID-enabled license plate 300 can be configured to include multipleslots. As shown in FIG. 3, RFID-enabled license plate 300 includes afirst slot 320 and a second slot 330. In various embodiments, both thefirst slot 320 and the second slot 330 can be filled with a non-metalmaterial. In some embodiments, the non-metal material can be stuffed,extruded, or otherwise deposited into slot 320 and slot 330. In variousembodiments, the non-metal material remains flush with respect to boththe front and rear surfaces of plate 300.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, an RFID strap 340 can be positionedacross the second slot 330 as illustrated. In the embodiment shown, RFIDstrap 340 includes an RFID chip 342 as well as one or more contacts 344that are connected to or capacitively coupled with plate 310. In someembodiments, RFID strap 340 and a slot antenna formed from plate 310form the main components of an RFID transponder of RFID-enabled licenseplate 300. In various embodiments, the respective and relativedimensions, spacing, and location of slots 320 and 330 are configuredsuch that the slot antenna formed from plate 310, slot 320, and slot 330will resonate at multiple desired frequencies. In various embodiments,the slot antenna configured according to FIG. 3 is able to resonate atboth an HF band (e.g., 13.56 MHz) and a UHF (e.g., 915 MHz) band.Furthermore, RFID chip 342 can be configured to operate at thesemultiple desired frequencies. As a result, RFID-enabled license plate300 includes a multi-frequency RFID transponder that allows RFID-enabledlicense plate 300 to interface with multiple RFID systems, including,but not limited to, RFID reader 220, a NFC communication device, and oneor more ETC systems which can operate at different frequencies.

In other embodiments, instead of using multiple slots (e.g., slot 320and slot 330) configured to resonate at several different frequencies, aRFID-enabled license plate can also include just a single slotconfigured to resonate at a single frequency. In these embodiments,RFID-enabled license plate 300 includes a single frequency RFIDtransponder that allows RFID-enabled license plate 300 to interface withRFID reader 220 and one or more ETC systems which operate at the samefrequency band.

Some applications (e.g., vehicle registration) can require a placementof metallic material (e.g., retro-reflective material, holographicimage) over RFID-enabled license plate 300. In order to preserve thetransmission and reception capabilities of RFID-enabled license plate300, a selective de-metallization process can be employed to treat themetallic material. Selective de-metallization is described in U.S. Pat.Nos. 7,034,688 and 7,463,154, the disclosures of which are incorporatedby reference herein in their respective entirety.

FIG. 4 presents a flowchart illustrating a process 400 for providingself-declared vehicle occupancy information to an ETC reader using theself-declaring e-plate system 200 described in FIG. 2 in accordance withone embodiment described herein.

To begin, self-declaring e-plate system 200 receives vehicle occupancyinformation by way of user self-declaration from an input device (step302). For example, a user (e.g., a driver or a passenger) can enter orselect a number of occupants in a vehicle using a keypad on input device210 or an input unit (e.g., a keyboard or a touch panel) on an onboardcomputer system that is integrated with input device 210. As such, invarious embodiments, e-plate system 200 directly receives vehicleoccupancy information from a driver or a passenger of the vehicle viathe keypad on the input device 110 or. Alternatively, input device 210of e-plate system 200 can receive vehicle occupancy information from akeyboard or a touch panel on an onboard computer system integrated withinput device 210. In some embodiments, input device 210 is implementedas a function module of the onboard computer system.

Next, in response to receiving the vehicle occupancy information, inputdevice 210 triggers RFID reader 220 of the self-declaring e-plate system200 to write at least a portion of the received vehicle occupancyinformation to e-plate 230 (step 304). According to one exemplaryembodiment, e-plate 230 includes an RFID transponder/tag which furtherincludes a memory, wherein one portion of the memory stores accountinformation for an electronic toll account associated with the vehiclewhile another portion of the memory stores current occupancy informationfor the vehicle. In some embodiments, RFID reader 220 can both write toand read from the memory of the RFID transponder/tag on e-plate 230.Furthermore, RFID reader 220 can gain access to the memory on e-plate130 based on one or more security keys.

After storing the self-declared vehicle occupancy information into thememory of e-plate 230, e-plate system 300 is configured to provide theself-declared vehicle occupancy information to an ETC reader on demand(step 306). For example, the memory of e-plate 230 can be accessed by anETC reader at an ETC station/checkpoint/toll booth, upon which theself-declared vehicle occupancy information is obtained by the ETCsystem. In some embodiments, e-plate 230 can also provide the storedtoll account information along with the self-declared vehicle occupancyinformation to the ETC reader. For example, when the vehicle equippedwith e-plate system 200 travels through an ETC toll booth, an ETC readercan read both the toll account information and the self-declared vehicleoccupancy information stored on e-plate system 200. The ETC system canidentify a toll account associated with the vehicle based on theobtained account information. In addition, the ETC system can debit fromthe toll account with a toll charge that is determined based on theobtained self-declared vehicle occupancy information. In someembodiments, the ETC reader can gain access to the memory on e-plate 230based on one or more security keys. For example, in some embodiments,the ETC reader is required to provide one or more security keys toaccess the part of the memory on e-plate 230 which stores the tollaccount information.

FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of an exemplary e-plate validation system500 on a vehicle 502 in accordance with one embodiment described herein.As shown in FIG. 5, e-plate validation system 500 includes an onboardmicrocontroller (or computer) 510, an RFID reader 520, and aRFID-enabled license plate 530, which are coupled to each other by wiredconnections, wireless connections, or a combination of both. Note thatRFID-enabled license plate 530 can be implemented based on theembodiment described with respect to FIG. 3. In various embodiments,RFID reader 520 is an “onboard” RFID reader located within vehicle 502registered under RFID-enabled license plate 530. RFID-enabled licenseplate 530 can be installed on vehicle 502 as the front license plate, asthe back license plate, or as both the front and the back licenseplates. In one embodiment, RFID-enabled license plate 530 can beassociated with a unique identifier for uniquely identifying vehicle502, which is stored on an RFID tag embedded within RFID-enabled licenseplate 500.

In some embodiments, RFID-enabled license plate 530 includes a memory(not shown). According to one exemplary embodiment, the memory can storeone or more identifiers that can be used (e.g., by onboardmicrocontroller 510 or the RFID reader 520) to verify whetherRFID-enabled license plate 530 is a valid e-plate for vehicle 502. Insome embodiments, the memory can store additional data including, butnot limited to, account information for a toll account associated withvehicle 502 and occupancy information (e.g., a number of occupants) forvehicle 502. In some embodiments, in addition to communicating with RFIDreader 520, RFID-enabled license plate 530 is configured to alsocommunicate with RFID-enabled ETC readers associated with one or moreETC systems. In various embodiments, an ETC reader can access theaccount information and occupancy information stored in the memory ofRFID-enabled license plate 530. In one exemplary embodiment, a tollcharge that is assessed based on the current occupancy information canbe debited from the toll account associated with vehicle 502.

Although the embodiment of FIG. 5 describes the RFID-enabled licenseplate as part of the e-plate validation system, other embodiments of thedisclosed e-plate validation system can include the RFID reader and theonboard microcontroller without the RFID-enabled license plate. In theseembodiments, the e-plate validation system interacts with anRFID-enabled license plate wirelessly.

In various embodiments, onboard microcontroller 510 is implemented as anonboard computer system for vehicle 502. Hence, in these embodiments,onboard microcontroller 510 can be configured to control (e.g., enableand disable) one or more vehicle functions. For example, onboardmicrocontroller 510 can trigger an alarm on vehicle 502. As anotherexample, onboard microcontroller 510 can enable and disable animmobilizer function that, when enabled, would prevent vehicle 502 fromstarting.

In various embodiments, onboard microcontroller 510 is configured tocommunicate with RFID reader 520. Onboard microcontroller 510 can becoupled to RFID reader 520 through a wired or wireless connection. Insome embodiments, onboard microcontroller 520 is configured to controlone or more functions of the RFID reader 520 including, but not limitedto, triggering RFID reader 520 to interrogate RFID-enabled license plate530. In various embodiments, onboard microcontroller 510 can beconfigured to trigger RFID reader 520 to interrogate RFID-enabledlicense plate 530 in response to one or more events such as unlocking ofvehicle 502 and attempting to start vehicle 502.

In some embodiments, onboard microcontroller 510 can include aninput/output (I/O) unit. For example, onboard microcontroller 510 caninclude a touchscreen that displays an HOV lane declaration switchgraphic user interface (GUI) such as the GUI 240 illustrated in FIG. 2.In various embodiments, onboard microcontroller 510 is configured totransmit one or more commands to RFID reader 520 that cause RFID reader520 to write user self-declared occupancy information of vehicle 502entered via the input/output (I/O) unit to RFID-enabled license plate530 in a manner similar to the self-declaring e-plate system 200described above.

In some embodiments, RFID reader 520 can be positioned on vehicle 502 ata location within an effective read range of the RFID tag withinRFID-enabled license plate 530. Notably, if the RFID tag withinRFID-enabled license plate 530 is based on an UHF transmission, theeffective read range is typically longer than 3 feet and up to 37 feet.In some embodiments, RFID reader 520 can be implemented according to RFreader 102 described with respect to FIG. 1. In various embodiments,RFID reader 520 can be a multi-purpose RFID reader which can performother RFID read functions such as for locking and unlocking vehicle 502.

In some embodiments, RFID reader 520 is configured to interrogateRFID-enabled license plate 530. For example, RFID reader 520 can beconfigured to interrogate RFID-enabled license plate 530 in response toone or more commands received from onboard microcontroller 510.Alternatively, RFID reader 520 can be configured to interrogateRFID-enabled license plate 530 periodically and/or according to adynamic or fixed schedule. In some embodiments, RFID reader 520 isunable to successfully interrogate RFID-enabled license plate 530, e.g.,when the e-plate is missing from vehicle 502. In these embodiments, RFIDreader 520 can be configured to transmit a signal to onboardmicrocontroller 510 indicating that RFID-enabled license plate 530 isnot present on vehicle 502.

Alternatively, if RFID reader 520 is able to successfully interrogateRFID-enabled license plate 530, for example, in response to a scheduledinterrogation, RFID reader 520 can receive one or more identifiers fromRFID-enabled license plate 530. In some embodiments, RFID reader 520 isconfigured to transmit the one or more identifiers to onboardmicrocontroller 510. Alternatively, in some embodiments, RFID reader 520is configured to directly verify whether RFID-enabled license plate 530is a valid e-plate of vehicle 502 based on the one or more identifiersreceived from RFID-enabled license plate 530. In these embodiments, RFIDreader 520 can be configured to transmit a signal to onboardmicrocontroller 510 indicating whether RFID-enabled license plate 530has been successfully verified as a valid e-plate for vehicle 502.

In various embodiments, onboard microcontroller 510 is configured todetermine whether RFID-enabled license plate 530 is present on (e.g.,attached to) vehicle 502. For example, onboard microcontroller 510 canreceive a signal from RFID reader 520 indicating whether RFID reader 520is able to successfully interrogate RFID-enabled license plate 530. Inone particular embodiment, onboard microcontroller 510 receives a signalfrom RFID reader 520 indicating that RFID-enabled license plate 530 isnot present on vehicle 502 if RFID reader 520 is not able tosuccessfully interrogate RFID-enabled license plate 530. This conditioncan be caused by if RFID-enabled license plate 530 is stolen or hasaccidentally fallen off vehicle 502. According to one exemplaryembodiment, in response to receiving the signal indicating thatRFID-enabled license plate 530 is not present on vehicle 502, onboardmicrocontroller 510 is configured to enable one or more vehiclefunctions, for example, an alarm function which sets off an alarm sirenand/or an immobilizer function that, when enabled, prevents vehicle 502from starting. In other embodiments, in response to receiving the signalindicating that RFID-enabled license plate 530 is not present on vehicle502, onboard microcontroller 510 is configured to enable a hazard lightfunction (e.g., causing the hazard lights to be continuously on) anddisable the immobilizer function that, when disabled, does not preventvehicle 502 from starting.

After the alarm has been triggered as a result of detecting thatRFID-enabled license plate 530 is not present on vehicle 502, in someembodiments, onboard microcontroller 510 is configured to turn off thealarm, e.g., after a user enters a correct key code or pushes a secretreset button on vehicle 502. In some embodiments, when an e-plate isreinstalled onto vehicle 502 which is subsequently detected by onboardmicrocontroller 510, onboard microcontroller 510 is configured to turnoff the alarm.

In some embodiments, if RFID reader 520 is able to successfullyinterrogate RFID-enabled license plate 530, onboard microcontroller 510receives, from RFID reader 520, one or more identifiers read fromRFID-enabled license plate 530. As such, in some embodiments, onboardmicrocontroller 510 is configured to verify whether RFID-enabled licenseplate 530 is a valid e-plate for vehicle 502 based on the one or moreidentifiers received from RFID reader 520. For example, onboardmicrocontroller 510 can compare the one or more identifiers receivedfrom RFID reader 520 with one or more stored identifiers correspondingto a valid e-plate for vehicle 502. The valid identifiers for vehicle502 can be stored directly in a memory of onboard microcontroller 510 orthe valid identifiers can be stored in a memory within RFID reader 520and transmitted from RFID reader 520 to onboard microcontroller 510 atthe request of onboard microcontroller 510. In some embodiments,RFID-enabled license plate 530 is verified by onboard microcontroller510 if the received identifiers match the stored identifierscorresponding to the valid e-plate for vehicle 502.

In some embodiments, after verifying the received one or moreidentifiers, onboard microcontroller 510 is configured to performadditional steps to further validate the registration informationassociated vehicle 502. For example, in one embodiment, afterdetermining that the received identifiers read from RFID-enabled licenseplate 530 matches the stored identifiers on onboard microcontroller 510,onboard microcontroller 510 next accesses an external server containingup-to-date vehicle registration information based on the verifiedidentifiers.

As mentioned above, in some embodiments, RFID reader 520 is configuredto directly verify if RFID-enabled license plate 530 is a valid e-platefor vehicle 502. For example, RFID reader 520 can perform the comparisonof the one or more identifiers read from RFID-enabled license plate 530and the stored identifiers of the valid e-plate for vehicle 502. Thevalid identifiers for vehicle 502 can be stored directly in a memorywithin RFID reader 520 or the valid identifiers can be stored in amemory of onboard microcontroller 510 and transmitted from onboardmicrocontroller 510 to RFID reader 520 at the request of RFID reader520. Upon completing the identifier verification, RFID reader 520 cantransmit a signal to onboard microcontroller 510 indicating whetherRFID-enabled license plate 530 has been successfully verified as a valide-plate for vehicle 502. As a result, onboard microcontroller 510receives, from RFID reader 520, the signal indicating whetherRFID-enabled license plate 530 has been successfully verified.

In some embodiments, after RFID-enabled license plate 530 has beenverified either by onboard microcontroller 510 or by RFID reader 520which transmits the verification results to onboard microcontroller 510,onboard microcontroller 510 is configured to control (e.g., by enablingor disabling) one or more vehicle functions based on whetherRFID-enabled license plate 530 has been successfully verified as a valide-plate for vehicle 502. These vehicle functions can include, but arenot limited to, enabling/disabling an immobilizer of vehicle 502 andtriggering an alarm. For example, if the verification of the one or moreidentifiers has failed, onboard microcontroller 510 can enable animmobilizer of vehicle 502 to prevent vehicle 502 from starting and/ortriggering an alarm siren. However, if the verification of the one ormore identifiers is successful, onboard microcontroller 510 can disablethe immobilizer of vehicle 502.

After the alarm has been triggered as a result of the failed identifierverification, in some embodiments, onboard microcontroller 510 isconfigured to turn off the alarm, e.g., after a user enters a correctkey code or pushes a secret reset button on vehicle 502. In someembodiments, when a correct e-plate is reinstalled onto vehicle 502which is subsequently detected by onboard microcontroller 510, onboardmicrocontroller 510 is configured to turn off the alarm.

According to one exemplary embodiment, RFID-enabled license plate 530can also be used in one or more account management applications. Forexample, RFID enabled license plate 530 can be used to track a vehiclefor purposes of electronic tolling, parking access, and border control.At least some applications for the RFID-enabled license plate 530 aredescribed in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 14/459,299 and14/250,356, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein byreference in their respective entirety.

In various embodiments, access (e.g., by RFID reader 520) to the memoryof RFID-enabled license plate 530 can be granted based on a securitykey. Accordingly, in various embodiments, to successfully interrogateRFID-enabled license plate 530, RFID reader 520 and/or one or more ETCreaders can be required to provide a valid security key to RFID-enabledlicense plate 530. The provision of secure identification solutions isdescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,081,819, 7,671,746, 8,237,568, 8,322,044,and 8,004,410, the disclosures of which are incorporated by referenceherein in their respective entirety.

In some embodiments, RFID-enabled license plate 530 can include two ormore RFID modules configured to interface with corresponding RFIDsystems at different frequencies. Multi-frequency RFID tags aredescribed in Reissued U.S. Pat. Nos. RE 43,355 and RE 44,691, thedisclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in theirrespective entirety. For example, in one exemplary embodiment,RFID-enabled license plate 530 is configured to communicate with RFIDreader 520 using a high frequency (HF) band (e.g., 13.56 megahertz(MHz)). In addition, RFID-enabled license plate 530 is also configuredto communicate with an ETC reader using an ultra-high frequency (UHF)band (e.g., 915 MHz or 2.45 gigahertz (GHz)).

In some embodiments, RFID-enabled license plate 530 can be furtherconfigured to perform one or more account management functions.According to one exemplary embodiment, RFID-enabled license plate 530can operate at one frequency (e.g., HF) to interact with an electronicpayment system and at a different frequency to interact with an ETCsystem. For example, RFID-enabled license plate 530 can interact with anear-field communication (NFC) enabled device to provide sufficientinformation for the NFC enabled device to complete an electronic paymenttransaction to replenish a toll account of vehicle 502. In addition,RFID-enabled license plate 530 can also interact with an ETC reader toprovide sufficient information for the ETC system to apply a toll chargeto the toll account. Various account management applications forRFID-enabled license plate 530 are described in U.S. patent Ser. No.14/459,299 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/459,299, thedisclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

A person having ordinary skill in the art can appreciate that onboardmicrocontroller 510, RFID reader 520, and RFID-enabled license plate 530can be coupled via wired and/or wireless connections without departingfrom the scope of the present disclosure. As such, in variousembodiments, onboard microcontroller 510, RFID reader 520, andRFID-enabled license plate 530 can be installed in separate locations ona vehicle. For example, onboard microcontroller 510 and RFID reader 520can be installed in the cabin of vehicle 502 while RFID-enabled licenseplate 530 is placed on the exterior of vehicle 502.

FIG. 6 presents a flowchart illustrating a process 600 for automaticallyvalidating an e-plate in accordance with one embodiment describedherein. In the discussion below, process 600 is described to beperformed by e-plate validation system 500.

As shown in FIG. 6, the process begins when e-plate validation system500 interrogates RFID-enabled license plate 530 (i.e., the e-plate) todetermine whether the e-plate is present on vehicle 502 (step 602). Insome embodiments, in response to one or more events (e.g., unlocking thevehicle or attempting to start the vehicle), onboard microcontroller 510transmits one or more commands to RFID reader 520 which subsequentlytrigger RFID reader 520 to interrogate the e-plate. Alternatively, insome embodiments, RFID reader 520 can attempt to interrogate the e-plate130 periodically and/or according to a dynamic or fixed schedule.

Next, e-plate validation system 500 determines if the e-plate is presenton vehicle 502 (step 604). If e-plate validation system 500 determinesthat the e-plate is not present on the vehicle, e-plate validationsystem 500 then enables one or more vehicle functions (step 606). Forexample, in one embodiment, if RFID reader 520 is unable to successfullyinterrogate the e-plate, RFID reader 520 transmits a signal to onboardmicrocontroller 510 to indicate that the e-plate is not present on thevehicle. In one embodiment, in response to the indication from RFIDreader 520 that the e-plate is not present on the vehicle, onboardmicrocontroller 510 enables one or more vehicle functions. For example,onboard microcontroller 510 can trigger an alarm function on the vehiclethat sets off an alarm (e.g., an alarm siren or a hazard light). Asanother example, onboard microcontroller 510 can enable an immobilizerfunction that, when enabled, prevents the vehicle from starting.

On the other hand, if e-plate validation system 500 determines that thee-plate is present on the vehicle, e-plate validation system 500 nextperforms one or more tests to determine whether the e-plate is a valide-plate for the vehicle (step 608). For example, in some embodiments,onboard microcontroller 510 receives one or more identifiers that RFIDreader 520 has read from the e-plate and compares the one or moreidentifiers with one or more stored identifiers that correspond to avalid e-plate of the vehicle. Alternatively, in some embodiments, RFIDreader 520 can verify whether the e-plate is a valid e-plate for thevehicle, e.g., by comparing the one or more identifiers read from thee-plate with one or more stored identifiers of the valid e-plate of thevehicle. RFID reader 520 can subsequently transmit a signal to onboardmicrocontroller 510 indicating whether the one or more receivedidentifiers correspond to the valid e-plate of the vehicle.

Continuing referring to FIG. 6, e-plate validation system 500 thendetermines if the e-plate is successfully verified as a valid e-platefor the vehicle (step 610). If e-plate validation system 500 determinesthat the e-plate is not successfully verified as a valid e-plate for thevehicle, e-plate validation system 500 enables one or more vehiclefunctions (step 612). For example, e-plate validation system 500 canenable an immobilizer that prevents the vehicle from starting and/ortrigger an alarm siren. Alternatively, if e-plate validation system 500determines that the e-plate is successfully verified as a valid e-platefor the vehicle, e-plate validation system 500 disables the one or morevehicle functions (step 614). For example, e-plate validation system 500can disable the immobilizer. As such, if the e-plate is determined to bea valid e-plate for the vehicle, the vehicle will not be prevented fromstarting by the immobilizer and no alarm will be triggered.

A person having ordinary skill in the art can appreciate that e-platevalidation system 500 can be configured to perform process 600periodically, according to a dynamic or a fixed schedule, and/or inresponse to one or more events (e.g., unlocking the vehicle, attemptingto start the vehicle) without departing from the scope of the presentdisclosure.

The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover suchforms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of theprotection. For example, the example apparatuses, methods, and systemsdisclosed herein can be applied wireless communication devicesincorporating HF and/or UHF RFID reader capabilities. The variouscomponents illustrated in the figures can be implemented as, forexample, but not limited to, software and/or firmware on a processor,ASIC/FPGA/DSP, or dedicated hardware. Also, the features and attributesof the specific example embodiments disclosed above can be combined indifferent ways to form additional embodiments, all of which fall withinthe scope of the present disclosure.

The foregoing method descriptions and the process flow diagrams areprovided merely as illustrative examples and are not intended to requireor imply that the steps of the various embodiments must be performed inthe order presented. As will be appreciated by one of skill in the artthe order of steps in the foregoing embodiments can be performed in anyorder. Words such as “thereafter,” “then,” “next,” etc. are not intendedto limit the order of the steps; these words are simply used to guidethe reader through the description of the methods. Further, anyreference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using thearticles “a,” “an” or “the” is not to be construed as limiting theelement to the singular.

The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, andalgorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosedherein can be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, orcombinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability ofhardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules,circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms oftheir functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented ashardware or software depends upon the particular application and designconstraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans canimplement the described functionality in varying ways for eachparticular application, but such implementation decisions should not beinterpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the presentdisclosure.

The hardware used to implement the various illustrative logics, logicalblocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the aspectsdisclosed herein can be implemented or performed with a general purposeprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) orother programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic,discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed toperform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor canbe a microprocessor, but, in the alternative, the processor can be anyconventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. Aprocessor can also be implemented as a combination of receiver devices,e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality ofmicroprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSPcore, or any other such configuration. Alternatively, some steps ormethods can be performed by circuitry that is specific to a givenfunction.

In one or more exemplary aspects, the functions described can beimplemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof.If implemented in software, the functions can be stored as one or moreinstructions or code on a non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium or non-transitory processor-readable storage medium. The steps ofa method or algorithm disclosed herein can be embodied inprocessor-executable instructions that can reside on a non-transitorycomputer-readable or processor-readable storage medium. Non-transitorycomputer-readable or processor-readable storage media can be any storagemedia that can be accessed by a computer or a processor. By way ofexample but not limitation, such non-transitory computer-readable orprocessor-readable storage media can include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, FLASHmemory, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage orother magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used tostore desired program code in the form of instructions or datastructures and that can be accessed by a computer. Disk and disc, asused herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc,digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk, and Blu-ray disc where disksusually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce dataoptically with lasers. Combinations of the above are also includedwithin the scope of non-transitory computer-readable andprocessor-readable media. Additionally, the operations of a method oralgorithm can reside as one or any combination or set of codes and/orinstructions on a non-transitory processor-readable storage mediumand/or computer-readable storage medium, which can be incorporated intoa computer program product.

Although the present disclosure provides certain example embodiments andapplications, other embodiments that are apparent to those of ordinaryskill in the art, including embodiments which do not provide all of thefeatures and advantages set forth herein, are also within the scope ofthis disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure isintended to be defined only by reference to the appended claims.

What is claimed:
 1. A self-declaring license plate (e-plate) system for a vehicle, comprising: a license plate; and an radio frequency identification (RFID) tag affixed to the license plate, the RFID tag comprising an antenna, a memory and an integrated circuit configured to: store, in the memory, vehicle occupancy information that includes a number of occupants inside the vehicle, the vehicle occupancy information is self-declared by a user via an input device located inside the vehicle and written to the memory by a first RFID reader in response to receiving the vehicle occupancy information from the user, and provide at least a portion of the stored vehicle occupancy information to second RFID reader.
 2. The e-plate system of claim 1, wherein the RFID tag comprises a first module configured to operate using a first frequency band, wherein the RFID tag is configured to communicate with the first RFID reader via the first module using the first frequency.
 3. The e-plate system of claim 2, wherein the RFID tag further comprises a second module configured to operate using a second frequency band, wherein the RFID tag is configured to communicate with the second RFID reader via the second module using the second frequency.
 4. The e-plate system of claim 3, wherein the first frequency band comprises a high frequency (HF) frequency band and the second frequency band comprises an ultra-high frequency (UHF) frequency band.
 5. The e-plate system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle occupancy information is self-declared by a user via an input device integrated with an onboard computer system and is configured to receive the vehicle occupancy information input by a user via a user interface of the onboard computer system.
 6. The e-plate system of claim 1, wherein the RFID tag is further configured to store account information for a toll account associated with the vehicle.
 7. The e-plate system of claim 6, wherein the second RFID reader is an electronic toll collection (ETC) reader, wherein the RFID tag is configured to provide at least a portion of the account information to the ETC reader, and wherein the ETC reader is configured to identify the toll account associated with the vehicle based at least in part on the account information, and debit a toll charge determined based at least in part on the received vehicle occupancy information.
 8. The e-plate system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the writing of the received occupancy information to the RFID-tag and the provision of the received occupancy information to the second RFID reader by the RFID tag includes gaining access to the memory of the RFID tag based on one or more security keys.
 9. The e-plate system of claim 1, wherein the first RFID is coupled to a microcontroller configured to: determine whether the license plate is present on the vehicle based at least on a result of interrogation of the RFID tag received from the first RFID reader; determine whether the license plate is a valid license plate for the vehicle based at least on the one or more identifiers stored on the RFID tag; and in response to determining that the license plate is not a valid license plate for the vehicle, enable one or more vehicle functions.
 10. The e-plate system of claim 9, wherein the one or more vehicle functions include locking and unlocking the vehicle.
 11. The e-plate system of claim 9, wherein the one or more vehicle functions include at least one of an immobilizer function and an alarm function, wherein the immobilizer function is configured to, when enabled, prevent the vehicle from starting.
 12. The e-plate system of claim 9, wherein if the first RFID reader is able to successfully interrogate the RFID tag, the RFID reader is configured to receive, from the RFID tag, the one or more identifiers stored on RFID tag and determine whether the license plate is a valid license plate for the vehicle based at least on the one or more identifiers and one or more stored identifiers corresponding to the valid license plate.
 13. A self-declaring license plate (e-plate) for a vehicle, comprising: a planar body; and a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag embedded int eh planar body and comprising an antenna and a memory, the RFID tag configured to: store, in the memory, vehicle occupancy information that includes a number of occupants inside the vehicle, the vehicle occupancy information written to the memory by a first RFID reader in response to a user self-declaring the vehicle occupancy information via an input device located inside the vehicle and provide at least a portion of the stored vehicle occupancy information to second RFID reader.
 14. The e-plate of claim 13, wherein the RFID tag comprises a first module configured to operate using a first frequency band, wherein the RFID tag is configured to communicate with the first RFID reader via the first module using the first frequency.
 15. The e-plate of claim 14, wherein the RFID tag further comprises a second module configured to operate using a second frequency band, wherein the RFID tag is configured to communicate with the second RFID reader via the second module using the second frequency.
 16. The e-plate of claim 15, wherein the first frequency band comprises a high frequency (HF) frequency band and the second frequency band comprises an ultra-high frequency (UHF) frequency band.
 17. The e-plate of claim 13, wherein the second RFID reader is an electronic toll collection (ETC) reader, wherein the RFID tag is further configured to store account information for a toll account associated with the vehicle, and provide at least a portion of the account information to the ETC reader.
 18. The e-plate of claim 13, wherein the RFID tag is further configured to provide access the memory based on one or more security keys exchanged with the at least one of the first RFID reader and the second RFID reader.
 19. The e-plate of claim 13, wherein the RFID tag is configured to communicate an indication that the self-declaring license plate is present on the vehicle in response to an interrogation from the first RFID reader.
 20. The e-plate of claim 19, wherein the indication comprises one or more identifiers stored in the memory of the RFID tag that are used to determine whether the license plate is a valid license plate for the vehicle. 